Quantum walks: a comprehensive review

Quantum walks, the quantum mechanical counterpart of classical random walks, is an advanced tool for building quantum algorithms that has been recently shown to constitute a universal model of quantum computation. Quantum walks is now a solid field of research of quantum computation full of exciting open problems for physicists, computer scientists, mathematicians and engineers. In this paper we review theoretical advances on the foundations of both discrete- and continuous-time quantum walks, together with the role that randomness plays in quantum walks, the connections between the mathematical models of coined discrete quantum walks and continuous quantum walks, the quantumness of quantum walks, a summary of papers published on discrete quantum walks and entanglement as well as a succinct review of experimental proposals and realizations of discrete-time quantum walks. Furthermore, we have reviewed several algorithms based on both discrete- and continuous-time quantum walks as well as a most important result: the computational universality of both continuous- and discrete- time quantum walks.Comment: Paper accepted for publication in Quantum Information Processing Journa

Making the connection between healthy waterways and healthy catchments: South East Queensland, Australia

The waterways of South East Queensland, Australia, represent unique and complex ecosystems that have a high conservation value and support major recreational and commercial fisheries. The agricultural districts of the region also contribute significantly to the regional economy and, together with the growing urban areas, are heavily reliant on good quality water supplies. However, the human footprint of these activities has led to significant changes in catchment hydrology and sediment delivery, declining water quality and loss of aquatic biodiversity. Predicted population increases in the region are likely to further impact on the ecological and economic health of its waterways and catchments, and there are growing community expectations to reverse the decline in water quality and ecosystem health. In response to these concerns, government, industry and community stakeholders have worked in close cooperation to develop a whole-of-government, whole-of-community approach to understanding and managing the region's waterways. This paper provides an overview of the experience gained through development of the SEQ Healthy Waterways Partnership and highlights some of the key factors we believe have contributed to its success

Physiological and morphological responses of the seagrass Zostera capricorni Aschers, to light intensity

The responses of the seagrass Zostera capricorni Aschers, to changes in light intensity were examined in flowing seawater aquaria experiments. Plants were grown in six light regimes: full sunlight (100%), 50, 30, 20, 15, and 5% of full light over a 2-month period. Measurements of growth, biomass, pigments, stable isotopes and leaf anatomy were made at the end of the experiment. Plants survived under all light treatments, even below minimum light requirements of related seagrasses. However, the experimental light levels possibly do not correspond to light reaching seagrass leaves under natural conditions. Plants grown under high light conditions (50–100% light) had smaller shoots, higher biomass and productivity, less negative δ13C values, lower leaf nitrogen content, less chlorophyll and more ultraviolet light absorbing pigment than plants grown under low light conditions (<20% light). Photoadaptation by ultraviolet light absorbing pigment(s) was noted, with more variability in ultraviolet light pigments than in chlorophyll levels. Increased CO2 demand and/or increased CO2 recycling in internal gas spaces may account for the less negative δ13C values in high light treatments, indicating less isotopic discrimination in seagrass leaves in high light. A saturation response of growth rates to light intensity was observed, with less substantial growth reductions at lower light intensities than observed in other seagrass shading experiments. Nutrient limitation in high light was inferred by a growth maximum at 50% light level, increased root biomass and lower leaf nitrogen content in high light treatments. Overall, a wide range of morphological and physiological photoadaptive responses not previously reported in Zostera capricorni was observed

Seasonal Production and Biomass of the Seagrass, Halodule wrightii Aschers. (Shoal Grass), in a Subtropical Texas Lagoon

A study of Halodule wrightii in a shallow subtropical Texas lagoon was performed to obtain seasonal data on its physiological ecology. Leaf production and biomass dynamics of H. wrightii were intensively monitored along with the underwater light environment at a 1.2-m depth study site over a 21-month period from June 1995 to February 1997. The annual photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) flux of 6,764 mol m−2 year−1 was more than twice as high as 2,400 mol m−2 year−1, the minimum annual PAR required for maintenance of growth. As light intensity declined, blade chlorophyll a/b ratios increased suggesting that the plants were photo-adapting. Seasonal trends were evident in shoot growth and biomass. Compared to other Halodule populations in Texas, H. wrightii in LLM displayed slow growth and low biomass, high leaf tissue N content, and low C/N ratio but high N/P ratio of 38 suggesting that the plants were phosphorus-limited